[Retrospective study on cancer of the base of the tongue]

From Feb. 1962 to Feb. 1982, 54 patients with cancer of the base of tongue were treated in our hospital. There were 44 squamous cell carcinomas and 10 adeno-cystic carcinomas. 46 patients were treated by radiotherapy only, 6 by surgery plus radiotherapy, 1 by surgery and 1 by chemotherapy alone. The 5 year survival rate was 27.1%. The result indicates that radiotherapy alone is poor. The author suggests that for cancer of the base of tongue, a combination of radiotherapy and surgery be used and prospective randomized study be carried out. The defect can be repaired using skin or myocutaneous flaps. In extensive lesions, glossectomy plus laryngectomy should be considered. For the healthy and young patients, the lesions of the base of tongue together with a part of the larynx should be extirpated but for the older man, selective glossectomy is advised.